Like most salad items, peppers have a relatively short shelf life so proper food storage is essential to keep them fresh.

Many people place them on a fridge shelf without a second thought but the delicate vegetable needs more than just a cool environment.

The water content of crunchy bell peppers means that they require a fine balance of moisture and humidity in the surrounding air.

Kitchen Tips Online expert Mike has shared a useful video about the best ways to store bell peppers in the fridge so they don’t end up “squishy and useless by the time you get round to using them”.

He explained: “Believe it or not, how long your bell peppers last at home depends on how you buy them at the supermarket.”

It takes a little extra effort than plucking the first peppers visible on supermarket shelves to maximise their shelf life at home.

The Kitchen Tips Online expert urged: “You should always pick fresh produce from the back of the pile.”

There’s a very simple reason for doing this, which is that most people will pick from the front and the fruit and veg staff will stock the newest peppers at the back to ensure stock rotation which should prevent food waste.

Those wanting to go one step further can even look underneath the top crate to find a packet with a longer use-by date.

However, it should be noted that those who purchase peppers in plastic packaging should discard this almost immediately when they bring the shopping home.

According to Mike, the preparation for extending the freshness of peppers doesn’t stop there.

He said: “If you’re one of those that likes to wash bell peppers when they get home before putting them in the fridge, you should stop. Moisture on the outside of the pepper causes it to deteriorate quicker.”

Instead, simply leave the peppers unwashed in an airtight container and place them in the crisper drawer of the fridge. They can be washed before being consumed or cooked.

The container serves as a protective layer to prevent bruised or mushy skin on colourful peppers, while the crisper drawer ensures a consistently cool temperature.

Demonstrating how the storage hack works in the YouTube video, Mike explained: “We put these peppers in this container about five weeks ago.”

The kitchen expert then picked up a pepper, and using the side of a knife, tapped it to demonstrate how firm the vegetable was.

As for the type of plastic container Mike used, he specifically chose the OXO Good Grips Greensaver Produce Keeper. The unique design comprises a tub with a basket inside where the produce sits and a carbon filter in the lid which absorbs ethylene gas. The elevated basket improves airflow, and the filter slows the rotting process.

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Post source: Express